7 YEARS AGO.....

The grand iron gates of Mount Hills High School stood tall, adorned with intricate designs, with the school's name displayed in an aesthetic, elegant font—bold, golden letters gleaming under the soft sunlight. Beyond the gates stretched a vast and magnificent campus, a place that seamlessly blended history with modern-day charm. The lush green lawns were spread out like a velvet carpet, meticulously maintained and lined with neatly trimmed hedges. Students often gathered here in small groups, either engaged in quiet conversations or absorbed in their books. To the right of the entrance lay a sprawling football ground, where the goalposts stood tall, waiting for the next intense match. Beyond it, a basketball court echoed with the sound of dribbling balls and sneakers screeching against the polished surface. On the left, a large cricket ground stretched under the open sky, where budding cricketers practiced tirelessly, their bats meeting the ball with sharp, resonating sounds. But the true heart of the campus was the majestic school building that stood proudly at the center, towering over everything else. The architectural marvel, reminiscent of a 19th-century palace, boasted tall arched windows, intricately carved pillars, and a grand entrance adorned with massive wooden doors. The stone façade, a mix of warm beige and soft brown hues, reflected the sunlight beautifully, giving it an almost golden glow in the afternoon.

Just 15 meters away from the gate and 10 meters from the main building, a breathtaking fountain stood—a mesmerizing centerpiece. Water cascaded from an elegantly sculpted structure, glistening under the daylight, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the school.

Behind the main school building, two massive hostel buildings stood tall, mirroring each other in off-white elegance. To the right, the Girls' Hostel stood gracefully, its wide balconies and large windows overlooking the scenic hills in the distance. To the left, the Boys' Hostel stood with equal grandeur, a mirror image of its counterpart.

Both buildings were home to hundreds of students, filled with late-night laughter, whispered secrets, and dreams waiting to take flight.

This was Mount Hills High School, Dehradun—not just an institution, but a legacy, where stories of friendships, rivalries, love, and ambition were waiting to be written.

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Mount Hills High School’s Girls’ Hostel was as grand as the rest of the campus. Among its many rooms, Room 333 stood out—not because it was different, but because it belonged to three girls whose stories were intertwined.

The metallic nameplate on the wooden room door gleamed under the soft hallway lights, displaying three names in an elegant engraved font:

Aarya Mukherjee

Prerna Tripathi

Yashika Mehta

As soon as one entered, the spacious room greeted them with its warm beige interiors, a blend of modern elegance and comfort. The walls, doors, and even the cupboards were in matching beige tones, giving the room a seamless, sophisticated look.

The cupboards were built into the walls, providing ample storage without taking up extra space. Above the long shared study table, a built-in wooden shelf was neatly arranged with books, stationery, and personal decorative items, ensuring the room remained clutter-free while still feeling homely.

Three single beds were placed in a perfect row along the left wall, each with its own neatly arranged bedding.

At the foot of each bed, their beige built-in wardrobes stood, blending seamlessly with the walls.

The air conditioner hummed softly, maintaining a pleasant chill. The attached washroom was sleek and modern, its door matching the room’s aesthetic and blending perfectly with the beige interiors.

The balcony, located on the opposite side of the study table, had a large sliding glass door that allowed natural light to flood the room during the day. The beige curtains covering it swayed lightly with the morning breeze.

At this moment, one of the room’s occupants was still in bed.

Wrapped snugly in a light pink cozy blanket, a girl lay curled up, undisturbed by the morning light or the chill of the AC. Her soft breathing and still form made it clear—she was deep in sleep, completely at ease.

Meanwhile, another girl emerged from the washroom, running a towel through her slightly damp shoulder-length hair. She was dressed in black hot shorts and a fitted beige cropped tank top, her toned figure subtly accentuated by the outfit.

She walked towards the balcony, sliding the glass door open with ease. Stepping outside, she draped her towel neatly over the cloth hanger, allowing it to dry under the mild morning sun.

As she turned around, her face finally came into view. Her fair skin, smooth and flawless, held a radiant glow—resembling the soft porcelain beauty of a Korean girl. Her deep black eyes, framed by long, naturally curled lashes, held a quiet intensity, while her delicate button nose and soft pink lips added to the charm of her striking yet gentle features.

This was Prerna Tripathi.

Age: 17

Height: 5’2”

Hometown: Jaipur

Family Background:

Mother – A housewife

Father – An ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police)

Younger Brother – Seven years younger than her

As she stood there, breathing in the crisp morning air, a faint, knowing smile played on her lips.

Prerna stepped back inside the cozy beige-toned room, stretching lazily as the cool air from the AC brushed against her skin. Her gaze landed on the bed where a certain someone was still wrapped in a pink blanket, completely oblivious to the world.

A mischievous grin spread across Prerna’s lips.She climbed onto the bed, positioned herself right next to the sleeping figure, took a deep breath, and—

“GOOD MORNINGGGGG!!!” she yelled directly into her best friend’s ear.

What happened next was pure chaos.The girl beneath the blanket shot up in shock, her body reacting on pure instinct.

BAM!

Prerna let out a loud shriek as she lost balance and tumbled off the bed, landing straight on her butt with a loud thud.

"OWW!!" she groaned, rubbing her lower back. "What the hell, Yashika?!"

Meanwhile, the newly awakened girl sat on the bed, completely dazed. Her silky, wavy hair fell over her face in messy strands, covering her expression. She exhaled heavily, flipping her hair back in frustration—and finally, her face came into view. Weatish skin tone suitable to her features.Light brown eyes, still hazy from sleep, blinked at Prerna. Her nose was slightly bigger than usual but complemented her delicate features well, and her soft, thin lips pursed in confusion as she processed what just happened.

This was Yashika Mehta.

Age: 17

Height: 5'2

Hometown: Surat

Family Background:

Mother – Housewife

Father – Owner of a clothing factory

Elder Brother – 22 years old, currently doing MBA in Bangalore

Yashika rubbed her forehead. "What the hell, Prerna?! Kyun chilla rahi thi subah-subah?"

Prerna, still on the floor, narrowed her eyes. "Main chilla rahi thi? Pyaar se uthaya tha maine, aur tune mujhe bed se gira diya!"

Yashika yawned, stretching her arms. "Tu itni zor se kyun chilla rahi thi? Ek normal insan alarm lagata hai, yeh sab nahi karta."

Prerna scoffed. "Tujhpe alarm kaam karta toh main yeh harkat karti kya?"

Yashika smirked. "Is your butt hurting?"

Prerna shot her a glare. "Don’t laugh! Help me up."

Yashika chuckled but extended her hand. Prerna took it, and in one swift motion, Yashika pulled her up—but with a little too much force.

Prerna stumbled forward, bumping straight into Yashika.

Both of them fell back onto the bed, tangled in the pink blanket.

For a second, there was silence. Then—

“HAHAHAHA!”

Both girls burst into uncontrollable laughter, the morning now officially starting in the most chaotic way possible.

Yashika wiped a tear from her eye. "I swear, mornings in this hostel can never be normal as long as you're in my room!"

Prerna grinned. "Oh, please! Without me, your life would be boring. Admit it!"

Yashika rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine, fine.

Prerna jumped off the bed, stretching. "Now get up and get ready before we miss breakfast till then I just call her also."

"Okie". Yashika went to the bathroom to get ready and Prerna dialled her other roommates number.

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The morning sun shone brightly over Mount Hills High School, casting a golden hue over the badminton court. Two girls were engaged in an intense rally, their shoes screeching against the polished court surface as they moved swiftly, their rackets slicing through the air with precision.

One girl wore a yellow jersey, her scholar number boldly printed on the back, while the other sported a red jersey, her focus unwavering as she returned each shot with equal force.

The girl in yellow had her silky dark brown hair tied into a high ponytail, the strands bouncing with every movement. Had she let her hair down, it would have cascaded down to her mid-back. But right now, she was too engrossed in the game to care about anything else.

The rally continued for a few more seconds before the girl in red missed a return, the shuttlecock falling just outside the boundary line.

Point won. Match over.

The girl in yellow let out a deep breath and, instead of celebrating, simply sat down on the court, right where she had been standing. She closed her big, round dark brown eyes, a content smile forming on her small but slightly fuller pink lips.

A small birthmark on her chin became visible as she tilted her face slightly upward, basking in the moment of victory.

"Here, drink some water," a girl offered, handing her a bottle.

She opened her eyes, thanking the girl with a small nod before taking a sip.

Her fair skin glowed under the sunlight, and her long lashes fluttered slightly as she heard someone call her from behind—

"Aarya, your phone is ringing!"

She turned her head swiftly, placing the water bottle aside.

This was Aarya Mukherjee.

Age: 17

Height: 5'4

Hometown: Jaipur

Mother: Runs an orphanage (Shanti Homes)

Father: Government Lawyer

Brother: 4 years younger than her

She got up, brushing some dust off her shorts, and walked over to the bench where her phone was vibrating. The screen flashed—

"Prerna Calling..."

Aarya exhaled sharply, running a hand through her ponytail before swiping to answer.

Aarya (answering the call, slightly breathless): "Haan bol, Prerna."

Prerna (impatiently): "Aarya, when are you coming back to the room? Yashika is already getting ready, and you’re still missing!"

Aarya (wiping sweat from her forehead): "Relax, yaar! I just finished my game. Let me put my sports kit in the locker room, and I’ll be there in ten minutes."

Prerna (rolling her eyes): "Ten minutes? Aarya, did you forget it’s the first day of the new session? We have that student meeting to welcome the new students! And by the way, you still have to get ready… plus, you haven’t had breakfast yet!"

Aarya (grinning): "Oh God, you sound just like Yashika! But don’t worry, I remember. I’ll be there before you two leave me behind."

Prerna (mock warning): "You better be, warna Yashika and I are locking you out of the room."

Aarya (laughing): "Arre baba, I’m coming! Five minutes. Bye!"

She hung up and grabbed her sports bag, making her way to the locker room.